Maybe you are like Mary. For many years, as time allowed, Mary found solace in a long, hot bath after her day. After dealing with the pressures of work, caring for her family, and the hundreds of distractions that popped up in any given day, she needed a break. Especially around the holidays where her days were spent tending to the house and visitors, shopping, cooking for family and friends, and other activities so common to many of us this tike of year.
But lately, that long hot bath hasn’t been enough. Her phone buzzes constantly. Her smart watch taps her wrist with reminders. Her day starts with screens and ends with screens, and the so-called “smart” home she lives in never really lets her unplug. She’s overwhelmed, overstimulated, and desperate for relief.
She doesn’t need another app. She needs an escape, or what many have recently referred to as a “digital detox.” A digital detox is an emerging trend that’s gaining more notice. The National Library of Medicine defines this as a period where you intentionally reduce the amount of time spent online and on devices to provide relief from overstimulation and anxiety. And perhaps no room in your house is better equipped to assist in this than your bathroom.
If you're like Mary, you’re looking for more than just a nice bathroom — you need a mental wellness bathroom retreat. As we head into 2026, more homeowners are turning to bathroom wellness features that calm the mind and restore balance. According to a 2024 Houzz study, over 60% of US homeowners prioritize wellness features in bathroom remodels, up from just 38% in 2021.
Bathrooms have long been viewed as utilitarian spaces—places to get clean and get out. But, that’s changing. Homeowners like Mary are no longer satisfied with a simple soak or a quick shower. They’re seeking sanctuary.
As mental health becomes a mainstream priority, the bathroom has emerged as a critical zone for emotional recovery. The trend is clear: today’s bathrooms must do more than just clean the body—they must calm the mind.
The good news? With intentional design, your bathroom can become a haven of peace, offering a quiet, restorative space to balance the sensory overload of modern life.
The first option on our list isn’t a new one. Scent is one of the most potent triggers of memory and mood. Aromatherapy, which has been used for centuries, is making a modern comeback in spa-inspired bathroom designs. Integrated essential oil diffusers can now be built into showerheads, vanities, or ventilation systems—automatically infusing the space with calming scents like lavender, eucalyptus, or sandalwood.
Research published in Frontiers in Psychology suggests that lavender oil can significantly reduce anxiety and improve sleep quality, a crucial foundation for emotional well-being.
💡Design Tip: Consider a diffuser that works in conjunction with your exhaust fan or a smart diffuser that can be scheduled for specific times of day, such as morning wake-ups or evening wind-downs. (Yes, some tech can be good in a ‘tech detox’!)
Color has a profound impact on our mental state. Chromotherapy—or color therapy—is an emerging trend in bathroom design that uses colored LED lighting to influence mood and energy levels. Whether it’s blue for calm, green for renewal, or pink for emotional softness, these hues can transform the entire feel of a space.
Chromotherapy shower systems and vanities enable homeowners to adjust the lighting to suit their mental needs, creating an immersive sensory experience that extends far beyond traditional illumination.
A study published in The National Library of Medicine found that exposure to calming colors, such as blue and green, in interior spaces reduced cortisol levels and promoted relaxation. A study by Harvard also showed that green lights reduce stress and the severity of migraines.
💡Design Tip: Install LED strip lighting under floating vanities, around mirrors, or in ceiling coves. Select systems that offer color customization and dimming capabilities for enhanced control and flexibility.
In Colorado, nature isn’t just nearby—it’s part of who we are. It’s no surprise that biophilic design, which incorporates natural materials and textures into interiors, is reshaping bathroom design in 2025. Emerging evidence suggests that bathrooms that incorporate natural elements, such as stone, wood, live plants, and organic textures, create a restorative atmosphere that helps reduce stress.
According to research from Terrapin Bright Green, studies suggest exposure to nature or even natural-looking materials can reduce heart rate, blood pressure, and mental fatigue. Incorporating biophilic design into the bathroom, where stress relief is already a priority, amplifies those effects.
💡Design Tip: Think beyond a potted plant. Choose a quality natural stone product like Kohler LuxStone, wood vanities, pebble shower floors, or even a green wall with moisture-loving plants like ferns or pothos.
Mary didn’t realize how much ambient noise contributed to her anxiety until she stepped into a sound-insulated bathroom. Gone were the sounds of traffic, buzzing appliances, and digital pings. In their place? Gentle rainfall, soft music, or complete silence—whatever her mind craved most.
Sound is often overlooked in bathroom design, but it's a crucial element for mental restoration. Acoustic panels, insulation, and even water features can be used to buffer unwanted noise. Meanwhile, built-in speakers or Bluetooth systems can introduce relaxing sounds, such as ocean waves, forest ambiance, or instrumental music, without the disruption of news alerts or notifications.
A study by the Global Wellness Institute highlighted that auditory design is becoming a key consideration in residential architecture for wellness. Quiet spaces have been linked to improved concentration, better sleep, and reduced anxiety.
💡Design Tip: Opt for sound-absorbing materials like cork, padded textiles, or acoustic wall panels in bathrooms where noise is an issue. If you enjoy guided meditation or nature soundtracks, install moisture-resistant audio systems with pre-programmed wellness playlists.
It’s cause and effect 101: A cluttered space leads to a cluttered mind. In 2025, minimalist bathroom layouts that emphasize clean lines, hidden storage, and visual simplicity are becoming the norm for homeowners who want peace of mind.
Mary’s old bathroom had open shelves packed with half-used products and messy blow-dryer and curling iron cords. Her remodel? Smooth cabinetry, soft-close drawers, and strategically hidden outlets—all of which fostered an immediate sense of calm.
The science supports this shift. Studies from Princeton University Neuroscience Institute show that visual clutter competes for your attention and reduces performance. Clean, organized environments make it easier to relax and focus.
💡Design Tip: Choose wall-hung vanities, floating shelves with concealed compartments, and neutral color palettes. Incorporate natural light when possible and avoid overloading the space with decor.
Mary’s new bathroom isn’t just a place to brush her teeth or rinse off the day. It’s a sanctuary. A retreat. A carefully crafted oasis that supports her mental wellness with every sensory cue—soothing sights, calming scents, healing sounds, and an uncluttered atmosphere that helps her decompress.
In 2025, designing for mental well-being isn’t a luxury—it’s a necessity. And the bathroom, often the only room where we can truly be alone, is the perfect place to start.
By integrating features such as aromatherapy diffusers, chromotherapy lighting, biophilic materials, calming acoustics, and minimalist layouts, you can transform an ordinary bathroom into a space that restores your emotional balance and supports your well-being every day.
✅ Choose a calming essential oil for your diffuser (lavender is a top pick!)
✅ Add dimmable LED lights with color control
✅ Bring in a moisture-friendly plant like a pothos
✅ Add acoustic panels or a sound machine
✅ Declutter your vanity and add hidden storage solutions
🎁 Download our free Step-by-Step Guide to a Digital Detox in the Bathroom
Mary transformed her bathroom—and her mental wellness—by making intentional, restorative design choices. You can too.
At HomePride Bath and Remodel, we specialize in helping Colorado homeowners create sanctuaries that soothe the mind and elevate the soul. As a Kohler-certified installer, we offer top-tier wellness features from the industry’s most trusted brands, combining luxurious tranquility with long-lasting value for your home—and more importantly, for you.
Whether you're looking to integrate aromatherapy systems, chromotherapy lighting, or biophilic design, we’ll help you craft a space that aligns with your lifestyle and supports your mental well-being.
Transform your bathroom—and your mental wellness—with intentional, restorative design choices.
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For those who prefer to finance their remodel, you may qualify for 12 months of no payments and no interest. Your peaceful retreat is closer than you think.
It depends on the features you want and whether you're doing a full remodel or small upgrades.
Aromatherapy diffusers can range from $40 for countertop models to $300–$500 for integrated systems.
Chromotherapy lighting typically adds $250–$1,200 depending on whether it’s part of a shower system or installed throughout the bathroom.
Soundproofing can range from a few hundred dollars for acoustic panels to several thousand if you’re opening walls and adding insulation.
At HomePride Bath, we walk you through good-better-best options so you can tailor your remodel to your budget and wellness goals. No pressure, just clarity on what things actually cost and what will make the most difference for you.
Yes, when done intentionally. Studies from the National Library of Medicine, Harvard, and the Global Wellness Institute show that features like calming scents, natural materials, color therapy, and sound insulation can reduce anxiety, regulate mood, and promote mental clarity.
But the most meaningful improvements often come from layering several small, restorative elements like softer lighting, less clutter, natural textures, and reduced noise. Even if you’re not doing a full remodel, you can create a noticeable boost in calm and relaxation with a few strategic changes.
Absolutely. A wellness bathroom doesn’t mean more gadgets. It means more intentional design. Many homeowners come to us feeling overwhelmed by smart devices and digital noise. Wellness features can actually reduce overstimulation rather than add to it.
Options like natural stone walls, plants, soft-close storage, warm lighting, and acoustic insulation are all low-tech ways to create a spa-like, restorative environment. If you prefer to keep technology minimal, we help you choose solutions that simplify your space instead of complicating it.